The BJP may try to distance itself from the reconversion controversy in Agra but the Dharam Jagran Samiti, an RSS offshoot distributed pamphlets in Aligarh seeking donations for converting Muslims and Christians to Hinduism opened the Pandora’s box.
The undated letters and pamphlets says the annual expenditure on a volunteer who works to convert Muslims costs 5 lakh and 2 lakh to work on Christian families.
Major conversion ceremony will be held on December 25 with an annual target of 2 lakh conversions -1 lakh Muslims and 1 lakh Christians.
The undated letters and pamphlets, carrying the letter head of the Dharam Jagran Samiti were doing the rounds in Aligarh. It proposes a price tag for a grand “ghar wapsi“ (homecoming) of Christians and Muslims, who are a “samasya“ (problem) in the country.
The letter addresses recipients as “bandhuwar“ (friends) and says: “Lots of money will be required in the `ghar wapsi’ because the work of conversion is increasing – more and more volunteers will have to be deployed to raise fund and organise camps. Please contribute money so that all arrangements are in place.“
The BJP MP from Gorakhpur, Yogi Adityanath, confirmed his visit on December 25 to Aligarh. He said , “This is not a conversion but a homecoming”. He has his programme in Aligarh and the event aims to convert 5,000 Muslims and 1,000 Christians at the local Maheshwari College.
The issue has already catch fire. “We are not allowing it giving permission for the `ghar wapsi’ that is being planned in Maheshwari College and if in case there is a violation, we will deal with the situation accordingly,” said J Ravinder Goud, SSP Aligarh.